Comparison · Status quo vs BackToMe
Doing nothing about the obligation: what does it really cost?
The obligation has been in force since 19 June 2026. Waiting or hoping for leniency is a bet, and it is a lopsided one. The status quo is not "free": it exposes you, in Ireland, to an administrative fine of up to €60,000 (each EU country sets its own scale) and, above all, to an automatic extension of the withdrawal period to 12 months and 14 days. In concrete terms, every order placed without a compliant button remains cancellable and refundable for over a year.
The head-to-head, line by line
| Criterion | doing nothing | BackToMe |
|---|---|---|
| A withdrawal button on the site | ||
| Acknowledgement of receipt by email (that the customer keeps) | ||
| Proof of requests that holds up in a dispute | ||
| Withdrawal period under control (14 days) | extended to 12 months + 14 days | |
| Shielded from a regulator fine (in Ireland, up to €60,000) | ||
| Peace of mind in the event of an inspection | ||
| Immediate cost | 0 € today | 25 € excl. VAT/month |
| Potential cost | in Ireland, up to €60,000 + refunds | under control |
Comparison at the level of the category of solution, not a named product. Established from the criteria of Directive (EU) 2023/2673 and Directive 2011/83/EU and common practice; subject to change.
The only case where "doing nothing" is legitimate
- •You sell only to businesses (strict B2B), and are therefore outside the scope of withdrawal.
- •You only sell products/services excluded from the withdrawal right (bespoke, digital goods consumed immediately, etc.).
- •If in doubt, check in 2 minutes whether you are concerned rather than betting.
If you sell to individuals
- You are concerned: no exemption by size, sector or status.
- The risk is asymmetric: 25 € excl. VAT/month against, in Ireland, €60,000 and refunds due for a year.
- Getting compliant takes 5 minutes and the trial is free for 7 days.
- A single customer who discovers the absence of a button can withdraw and demand a refund for over a year.
The verdict
"Doing nothing" is only free in appearance: it is the most expensive choice in expected value. 0 € today, but, in Ireland, exposure to a fine of up to €60,000 and to refunds due for over a year. Against that, 25 € excl. VAT/month covering the button, the proof and the monitoring is the cheapest insurance you will buy this year, installed in five minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the risk of not having a withdrawal button?
Two cumulative penalties: in Ireland, a CCPC administrative fine of up to €60,000 (Consumer Rights Act 2022, and up to 4% of turnover for widespread infringements), each EU country sets its own scale, and the automatic extension of the withdrawal period to 12 months and 14 days (Directive 2011/83/EU, art. 10). This second point is often the most costly: every sale remains cancellable and refundable for over a year.
Will there be leniency for small businesses?
The text provides for no exemption by size, sector or status: the obligation applies to anyone who sells to individuals through an online interface. Betting on leniency is a gamble, whereas getting compliant takes five minutes and starts with a free trial.
Am I really concerned?
If you sell to individuals at a distance, yes. The exclusions concern strict B2B, offline sales, and certain categories of product (bespoke, digital goods consumed immediately, etc.). If in doubt, a quick "am I concerned?" test clears up the ambiguity in two minutes.